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Interview Details
The Horrors - Quel Horror?
Interview with Coffin Joe, Josh and Spider of The Horrors
By: Vivien Weimar
Not since the days of The Cramps and The New York Dolls has such a breath of fresh feedback and styling gel been so welcome from one band. England's The Horrors have been honing their darkly themed rock since 2005, but it is this year's release of their epic album, Strange House, that should finally bring the cryptic band to the light of mainstream audiences. Strange House's lead single, "Sheena Is a Parasite" is a whirling dervish of noisy guitars meshed with urgent, screaming lyrics. But perhaps even more impressive is the song’s accompanying video directed by legendary auteur Chris Cunningham (most noted for his over-the-top creepy Aphex Twin montages). Featuring actress Samantha Morton in a modern-day head-spinning role straight out of The Exorcist, it is clear The Horrors are a band where image and sound go hand-in-hand. SubCulture Magazine got a chance to catch up with Coffin Joe of The Horrors as they transverse across America and pay a muddy Glastonbury their first visit support of their new album.
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Strange House (Loog)
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Having had much success in the UK, what is your plan for convincing American audience of your musical dominance?
Coffin Joe, The Horrors: We have now done three tours in America, this being our third. Our album has also recently been released over there so hopefully people have heard of us. We always try to get people to come to our gigs before dismissing us due to the intensity and rawness of the show.
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It has been said that you pulled out of your recent dates with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club due to a combination of lack of tour funds and the chance booking with BMRC's audience. If perhaps they were not the correct American audience to be seen in front of, what contemporary band would you co-headline with, if given the chance?
CJ: Well the reason we didn't do the tour was due to lack of funds and no other reason. If we had a choice of co-headlining with any band it would be between Beat The Devil, Clinic (British) and Neils Children.
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The first time I heard you I had a sense I was beamed back to my Batcave days. There's a certain blend of the deathrock, garage, surf, goth and dark cabaret foundations in your music and imaging. If you would have an option to be born in another place and time, when would it be?
CJ: I think back when early analog synths were being used to their best, in their most primitive sense. When Delia Derbyshire or even Raymond Scott were finding out ways of producing weird and wonderful sounds. I'd definitely like to be a fly on the wall there!
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How did you all hook up with video director Chris Cunningham and/or actress Samantha Morton for the "Sheena Is a Parasite" video?
CJ: Well Chris found us online and when listening to us he instantly had an idea. After listening to the track on repeat for around a week he then contacted his friend to get some software so he could rip the song off our myspace. Sam was a friend of Chris' and heard the song and loved it. She wavered her fee to be in it.
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Joshua, how long have you been playing guitar for and at what point did you decide to start building your own pedals?
CJ: I'll just go and ask him….He said for around 4 years. He started making them due to the frustration of pedals not being up to his extremely high standard. He would also like to add that there are some good pedals such as the 'hog' made by 'electro harmonix'. He also wanted to mention that he got a first in his physics degree.
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Spider, you have quite a history spinning vinyl. Are you still doing any gigs these days?
CJ: He still spins when he has the time.
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It is rumored that there is a covers album in the works, not surprising as you clearly cover Screaming Lord Sutch's "Jack The Ripper", The Sonics' "Witch" and live Joy Division's "No Love Lost". What can you tell us about the truth in the rumor?
CJ: Well, not that I know of! All of these tracks have been favourites of ours for years.
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You have an amazing collection of producers for the Strange House debut from Nick Zinner to Jim Sclavunos. How did your association with these musicians come about?
CJ: Luckily enough the producers that we liked mainly all came to either our shows or contacted us. They were all amazing to work with and we all still keep in contact regularly. Jim helped me personally by keeping me on the drums for hours on end making me play with bloody hands.
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Since the visual is such an appealing part of your band for some, can you name the films, books, or other that has influenced your image? Top three favorite horror movies.
CJ: Well for a start we all dislike horror films. Our style is another part of our music. Take it as you wish, from James Browns early look to the over sized suits worn by James Chance.
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What three bands are in heavy rotation on your iPod?
CJ: Clinic (English), Grinderman and Add N to X
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How long does it take you all to coif your hair every morning? Is there a secret to its gravity-defying ability?
CJ: We don't do our hair. We wake up like it. - Your top five historical horrors.
CJ: Rasputin, Jack The Ripper, Carl Panzram, The Kray Twins and Boris the Spider
- Your most recent fashion horror.
Laughs.
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We take that to either mean Coffin Joe never has a bad fashion day, or it is just too "horror"ible to mention. Either way, The Horrors are the most sonically interesting, if not visually arresting new bands this year.
For more information on The Horrors see The Horrors Web site